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Trip from High Point, NC to Pinetops, NC

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 9m

Distance

161.9 mi

261 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 58m ★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Pinetops, NC, NC

Pinetops, NC

R9 Media Photo Collective

Trip Overview

High Point, NC to Pinetops, NC is 161.9 miles and takes about 3h 9m via I 40 and US 264, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within North Carolina. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates and US highways, making it an efficient trip if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Given its relatively short duration and minimal stops, this route is ideal for a single-day journey, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Plan for a simple, no-frills transit through the Southeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81 miles from High Point, NC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 67.1 mi 1h 17m
US 264 35 mi 37m
I 87 16.8 mi 17m
US 29 14.4 mi 16m
I 440 9.2 mi 11m
Good News Church Road 7.4 mi 10m
Wade Avenue 3.1 mi 3m
Pinetops-Macclesfield Road 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 67.1 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between High Point, NC and Pinetops, NC.

1

Start on South Main Street

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
3

Merge onto US 29

8.5 mi · 9 min · US 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29

5.9 mi · 6 min · US 29
Toward US 29, US 70 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 42 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

30 mi · 34 min · I 40
Toward I 40 East: Raleigh Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728

3.1 mi · 3 min · Wade Avenue
Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 440 East, US 1 North: Wake Forest
9

Merge onto I 440; US 1

9.2 mi · 11 min · I 440; US 1
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto I 87; US 64; US 264

17 mi · 17 min · I 87; US 64; US 264
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 264

35 mi · 37 min · US 264
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 35
14

Turn left onto NC 111; NC 222

0.2 mi · 24 sec · NC 111; NC 222
15

Turn left onto NC 111

7.4 mi · 10 min · Good News Church Road
16

Turn right onto NC 124

1.9 mi · 3 min · NC 124
17

Turn left onto NC 122

0.5 mi · 59 sec · North 2nd Street
18

Continue on NC 122

2.4 mi · 3 min · Pinetops-Macclesfield Road
19

Continue on NC 122

0.3 mi · 40 sec · South 2nd Street
20

Arrive at destination

NC 122

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this is a perfect same-day trip, so you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Starting earlier in the morning can help you avoid potential midday traffic, especially on I 40. While only one stop is recommended for this distance, consider planning your fuel fill-up before you hit the longest stretch on I 40 to ensure you have plenty of gas without needing to exit prematurely. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so check current prices before you depart to manage your budget effectively.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81 miles from High Point, NC, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 36 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81 miles or 1h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pinetops, NC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving High Point, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from High Point, NC

This is one driving day of about 161.9 miles and 3h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from High Point, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 67.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Cary, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cary, NC

81 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Graham, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cary, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81 miles from High Point, NC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wendell, North Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 1h 8m to go 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Farmhouse Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19193747227

Visit website

Sosta Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19198331006

Visit website

Waraji Japanese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+19197831883

Visit website

The Piper's Restaurant and Tavern

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19196767413

Visit website

Triangle Coffee House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19842191215

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Burlington, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13365840201

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Mebane, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Lake Crabtree County Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Morrisville, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19194603390

Visit website

Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Greensboro, North Carolina

+13368529721

Visit website

Washington Terrace Community Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

High Point, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13368838599

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19199484450

Visit website

Piedmont Wildlife Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Durham, North Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19194890900

Visit website

Children's Museum of Alamance County

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Graham, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13362287997

Visit website

Nature Research Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19197079800

Visit website

Turnipseed Nature Preserve - Hunt Valley Trail Entrance

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Wendell, North Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+19196049326

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 96.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
10.5 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 29 toward US 29, US 70

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 29, US 70
6
16.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
53.2 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East: Raleigh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Raleigh
8
83.5 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | SR 1728 / Wade Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto SR 1728 / Wade Avenue toward Wade Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 289 Toward Wade Avenue
7
96.3 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Rocky Mount, Wilson, Greenville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 North, US 64 East, US 264 East: Roc...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.32 one way

$50.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $27.68 $55.36
premium $4.70 $29.96 $59.93
diesel $5.61 $35.75 $71.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.6 0 $17.00 $7.77
Efficient EV 40.5 0 $14.17 $6.48
EV Truck/SUV 64.8 0 $22.67 $10.36

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

High Point, NC

Late night in High Point on Tuesday

Local time

4:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pinetops, NC

Late night in Pinetops on Tuesday

Local time

4:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

22 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 9m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized by its 89% highway share, meaning you'll experience predominantly high-speed driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.1 miles on I 40, so be prepared for extended periods on this main interstate. The profile is that of a highway-focused drive, indicating that while there might be brief transitions onto other roads, the majority of your journey will be on well-maintained, fast-paced highways. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal slowdowns unless traffic dictates otherwise.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.1 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 264. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near US 29.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 161.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between High Point, NC and Pinetops, NC, road signs point toward Wilson and Greenville.

Wilson

96.3 mi in | ~1h 54m

Greenville

96.3 mi in | ~1h 54m

About the Cities

Starting in High Point, NC

Full guide →

High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.

Top landmarks

  • • Highland Cotton Mills Village Historic District — historic district in High Point, North Carolina
  • • Pickett Cotton Mills — historic industrial property at 1200 Redding Drive in southwestern High Point, N...

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 161.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Pinetops, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.5 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.2 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Pinetops, NC, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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